The Hakim learned, too, as the days glided by, that he was expected to see as many sick and wounded people as he conveniently could each morning, from the time of the first meal till noonday. After that the guard turned everyone away, and as time passed on the friends found that the rule was never transgressed. "The people have been taught so, O Hakim," said the Sheikh. "Then we are to be at liberty for the rest of the day?" said the doctor. "Yes, O Hakim, and you are to have everything you desire. You only have to speak. It is the Emir's orders. But if at any time you are wanted for the Emir's people or his friends, you are to see them in the after part of the day. What is there that the Hakim would desire now? The camels are well supplied, thy servants have good sleeping and resting-places, and supplies are sent in every morning while you are busy with the sick and wounded. What shall I tell the guard you require?" "Our liberty," said the Hakim sternly. "My people have been stopped three times when they tried to leave the gate." "Yes, O Hakim; it was the order given by the Emir to his servant, the guard." "Then tell the guard what I say. The confinement here is too great." "There is the garden beneath the trees, Excellency," said the Sheikh. "Yes, but we wish to see the town--to go where we will." "I will go to the guard and tell him, Excellency," said the Sheikh humbly, and he went away. Within an hour--a long and weary one to Frank--he was back. "I have seen the chief guard, Excellency, and he has taken your message to the Emir, who sent for me at once." "Well?" said the doctor; and Frank and the professor came close to hear the reply. "The Emir Prince sends greeting to your Excellency," said the old Sheikh, who seemed greatly impressed at being made the medium of communication between two such great men, "and he thanks you humbly for the great change you have made in his dear son, who seems to be hourly gaining strength." "Yes, yes," said the doctor, rather impatiently; "go on." "The Emir Prince says that he is aggrieved because you make so few demands for yourself and your people, for he desires that you should treat his home as yours, and have all that you desire." "Then he gives us our liberty to go where we please?" said the doctor eagerly, and Frank and the professor gave vent to sighs of satisfaction which made the Sheikh's brow wrinkle. "The Emir desires me to say that your servants are at liberty to go where they please in the city or out into the country round; and that as he has noticed that the great Hakim has beautiful camels but no horses, he has only to speak and horses will be brought for his servants' use." "I shall keep to my camel, Ibrahim," said the doctor. "I think it will seem best, more in character. What do you think?" The old man was silent. "What does this mean?" said Frank, for he was first to notice the Sheikh's troubled look.